Submariner 16613 'swiss only' 'flat 4'

[thesharkfactor]

I picked this up a few weeks ago, it's a 2004 F serial, CL6 clasp. It has a flat 4 bezel which is consistent with the era but it also has a SWISS only dial which to my knowledge was used around 1999 on Submariners during the change from Tritium to Luminova.
It could be a service dial, I note there are a few marks on the bezel at 40-45 by the crystal edge, maybe it was damaged in the past and the crystal and dial replaced, but I don't see an S in the crown of the crystal etching that would indicate a service crystal has been fitted.
Maybe the dial lay in inventory for some time before being matched to a watch, could a 2004 16613 have a SWISS only dial from new?

Thanks for looking.

[hutch300]

My guess is a service dial

[MrGoat]

I don’t know but I have an A serial LB with Swiss only dial and flat 4 insert. If that helps.


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[thesharkfactor]

Lovely. Swiss only dial is correct for A serial and you have lug holes and 93153 bracelet.

[Rolex.Journey]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I don’t know but I have an A serial LB with Swiss only dial and flat 4 insert. If that helps.


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Damn I miss my bluesy. That color sometimes….


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[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by Rolex.Journey

Damn I miss my bluesy. That color sometimes….


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Thanks, it’s a great watch.

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

Lovely. Swiss only dial is correct for A serial and you have lug holes and 93153 bracelet.

Sorry I couldn’t be of help. I’m not up 100% on what should be correct on every reference. Hell, not even my own. Just tried to help with what mine was compared to yours.


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[ancientmariner]

My understanding is that Rolex only used the ‘Swiss only’ dials on new watches for a very short time around 1998-2000 approx. Usually A or U serials.

Likely yours is a replacement dial.
Love the 16613 and have just bought one.

[Old Expat Beast]

You probably won't find even a P, K or Y serial with SWISS-only dial. On an F serial it's surely a service dial.

[springer]

I agree with Adam. An "F" serial number should have a SWISS MADE dial. The SWISS indicates it is a replacement dial.

[thesharkfactor]

This aligns with my thoughts too. Thank you for confirming.

[karleone]

Yes F serial should be Swiss Made dial. It’s even not a service dial here as the Swiss dial is older than Swiss Made dial. So an old dial has been installed on the watch.

[Exiztence]

Is the black bezel+dial specified in papers? Maybe someone got tired of blue and bought spare black dial and bezel and swapped.

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

Lovely. Swiss only dial is correct for A serial and you have lug holes and 93153 bracelet.

Congrats Shark,,
Lovely and a full set,,,

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by karleone

Yes F serial should be Swiss Made dial. It’s even not a service dial here as the Swiss dial is older than Swiss Made dial. So an old dial has been installed on the watch.

Not true. Swiss-only service dials are still being issued by service centres, or they were a couple of years ago when RSC installed mine.

[karleone]

Swiss only service dial for a Swiss made watch that doesn’t make any sense.
On 1675 and 1680 for example all service dials are Swiss only dials if this is what you are saying.

[SaintMickey]

Flat 4!? I'll pay a miilllllllliiiion dollars!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by karleone

Swiss only service dial for a Swiss made watch that doesn’t make any sense.
On 1675 and 1680 for example all service dials are Swiss only dials if this is what you are saying.

It makes sense that RSCs are using the leftover Swiss-only dials from the short U/A serial run as service dials for later models.